Minister for Defence, Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., has urged householders across County Clare to test their homes for the cancer causing radioactive gas radon.
The call follows the publication of a report by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) indicating that nearly 600 homes from across the country, including 32 in County Clare, have been found to have high levels of the gas so far this year. This is the highest number identified in any period since the national radon measurement programme began.
Minister Killeen, who is a former Minister with responsibility for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, stated: “The latest research from the RPII is of serious concern considering that one home in Lisdoonvarna had more than ten times the acceptable level with measurements between 2000 and 3500 Bq/m3. The radiation dose to the occupants of the home with the highest radon levels were equivalent to receiving 4375 chest X-rays per year or 12 chest X-rays per day. Another Clare home measured had radon levels of between 800 and 2000 Bq/m3.”
“It is very likely that there are more homes in Clare with similarly high radon levels and, therefore, I would urge local people to test for the gas and reduce their risk of lung cancer. Exposure to radon gas is linked to some 200 lung cancer deaths each year in Ireland”, the North Clare T.D. added.
Areas of Clare registered where more than 10% of houses are predicted to have high radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m3 include the entire North Clare area from Kilshanny to Belharbour and Carron to Doolin, along with Ballynacally, Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Bunratty, Quin, Tulla and Feakle. The parts of Clare that have a predicted 20% or more of houses registering radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m3, include Ennis and its environs, Crusheen, Corofin, Ruan, Kilnamona, Inagh, Clarecastle and Newmarket on Fergus.
Minister Killeen urged all householders, particularly those living in High Radon Areas, to have their homes tested for the gas. He continued: “It is unnecessary for the public to put themselves at risk from radon. Householders need to take this matter seriously and measure radon levels in their homes to ensure that they and their families are not at risk. Where there is a need to reduce levels, remediation is relatively cheap compared to other household repairs and resolves the situation immediately.”
“Testing for radon involves the placing of one radon detector in a bedroom and a second in a living room for a three-month period. The detectors are the size of an air freshener and can be sent and returned by post for analysis. A number of private companies and the RPII provide a radon measurement service to the public for as little as EUR56”, Minister Killeen concluded.
The RPII has undertaken a number of national radon awareness measures this year. It has also had concerted public awareness campaigns in Sligo and Carlow, and plans to continue this activity in other counties in the coming months and years.
The RPII website (www.rpii.ie) allows users to search for their address on an interactive radon map to see whether their home or workplace is in an area predicted to have high radon levels. They can find out what they need to know about radon – what it is, why it is a problem and how they can have a measurement made. Information can also be obtained on freefone 1800 300 600.
The call follows the publication of a report by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) indicating that nearly 600 homes from across the country, including 32 in County Clare, have been found to have high levels of the gas so far this year. This is the highest number identified in any period since the national radon measurement programme began.
Minister Killeen, who is a former Minister with responsibility for the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, stated: “The latest research from the RPII is of serious concern considering that one home in Lisdoonvarna had more than ten times the acceptable level with measurements between 2000 and 3500 Bq/m3. The radiation dose to the occupants of the home with the highest radon levels were equivalent to receiving 4375 chest X-rays per year or 12 chest X-rays per day. Another Clare home measured had radon levels of between 800 and 2000 Bq/m3.”
“It is very likely that there are more homes in Clare with similarly high radon levels and, therefore, I would urge local people to test for the gas and reduce their risk of lung cancer. Exposure to radon gas is linked to some 200 lung cancer deaths each year in Ireland”, the North Clare T.D. added.
Areas of Clare registered where more than 10% of houses are predicted to have high radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m3 include the entire North Clare area from Kilshanny to Belharbour and Carron to Doolin, along with Ballynacally, Shannon, Sixmilebridge, Bunratty, Quin, Tulla and Feakle. The parts of Clare that have a predicted 20% or more of houses registering radon levels in excess of 200 Bq/m3, include Ennis and its environs, Crusheen, Corofin, Ruan, Kilnamona, Inagh, Clarecastle and Newmarket on Fergus.
Minister Killeen urged all householders, particularly those living in High Radon Areas, to have their homes tested for the gas. He continued: “It is unnecessary for the public to put themselves at risk from radon. Householders need to take this matter seriously and measure radon levels in their homes to ensure that they and their families are not at risk. Where there is a need to reduce levels, remediation is relatively cheap compared to other household repairs and resolves the situation immediately.”
“Testing for radon involves the placing of one radon detector in a bedroom and a second in a living room for a three-month period. The detectors are the size of an air freshener and can be sent and returned by post for analysis. A number of private companies and the RPII provide a radon measurement service to the public for as little as EUR56”, Minister Killeen concluded.
The RPII has undertaken a number of national radon awareness measures this year. It has also had concerted public awareness campaigns in Sligo and Carlow, and plans to continue this activity in other counties in the coming months and years.
The RPII website (www.rpii.ie) allows users to search for their address on an interactive radon map to see whether their home or workplace is in an area predicted to have high radon levels. They can find out what they need to know about radon – what it is, why it is a problem and how they can have a measurement made. Information can also be obtained on freefone 1800 300 600.
